Going forward, the sky's the limit for this triple threat—something Ryan says he owes to his idol and mentor, Merv Griffin. "He taught me a lot," he says. "He taught me how to leverage. He taught me how to take the success of being a personality and the access you have and build something to have forever. To build an asset. Because you never know how long this is going to last."

Ryan also believes good karma brings great rewards. "I believe you put out what you get back," he says. "It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. But it comes."